Wednesday, December 05, 2012

News on Gardner, Besler, Kamara, and Espinoza

Some news on four Sporting KC players.

Sporting Trade for Gardner

After getting rid of 6 players and a 7th on the way out, Sporting KC made an addition to the roster today.  Sporting made a trade with the Montreal Impact to acquire midfielder/defender Josh Gardner.  The 30 year old Gardner has appeared in 49 league games over 5 seasons in MLS.  He's also spent time with the USL version of the Seattle Sounders and Carolina Railhawks in between time with Los Angeles and Columbus.  Last season Gardner was in Montreal.  He appeared in 6 games last year for the Impact.  In return, Sporting is sending their highest second round pick in the Superdraft this January.  The pick, the 32nd overall, Sporting KC received from New York in the trade that sent Stephane Auvray to the Red Bulls. 

Gardner was set to enter the reentry draft this year after making $54,120 last year.  You can expect that salary to increase next year, but not a ton more.  Gardner should provide Sporting with some depth behind Seth Sinovic at left back as well as an ability in the midfield as well.

More Interest in Besler

The Matt Besler moving abroad rumors continue to come out.  Today the news is from The Sun in the UK.  The tabloid isn't the most trusted source, but does link him with the previously rumored QPR and adds in another EPL club, Southampton.  The continues question with a potential move to England would be his ability to acquire a work permit in England.

Kamara Training at Stoke




The above tweet is from Asmir Begovic, the starting goalkeeper for Stoke City.  It should basically explain itself, Sporting's Kei Kamara is in England current training with the Potters currently.  Kamara joins a long list of MLS players that are spending a portion of the offseason training with clubs in Europe to prepare them for the 2013 season.  Before the English media finds out about this and starts calling it a "trial" and saying that Stoke is interested in signing the Sierra Leone international, let's remember it's just training.

Espinoza Closer to Official Exit

In news that is probably closer to former SKC Wizards news at this point that Sporting KC news, word is that midfielder Roger Espinoza has passed his physical in the UK.  With that out of the way, Espinoza is set to sign a two and a half year contract with Wigan Athletic.  The move will be finalized when the new transfer window opens in January. As I've said previously it's sad seeing Espinoza leave Kansas City, he's become a world class player here, but it'll be great seeing him play in the EPL.

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